While investigating a series of bombings, Spider-Man and Iron Man find themselves working with Captain Jean DeWolff. When the bomber tried to attack the police precinct, the two heroes attempted to stop the bomber. While Iron Man was incapacitated by the bomb, Spider-Man finds himself powerless against the Wraith, who is now crushing the wall-crawler's wrists while holding him over the edge of a building. While by-standards on the scene try to help Iron Man, Spider-Man is shocked to discover that the Wraith is able to read his mind. Next, the villain makes the building they stand on disappear before dropping Spider-Man to his death. As the wall-crawler tries to fire a web to break his fall, but all reality warps around him. Although Iron Man tries to catch him, Spider-Man fatally strikes the ground... or did he? Suddenly, reality snaps back to normal, and Spider-Man discovers that he is still in the grips of the Wraith and that he experienced a powerful illusion.

Before the Wraith can torment Spider-Man anymore, Jean DeWolff threatens to shoot from across the street. The distraction causes the Wraith to loosen his control over Spider-Man's mind, allowing the hero to break free. Still, the villain manages to evade capture, then uses his mental powers to try and force Jean to shoot Spider-Man. By this point, Iron Man has recovered from the bomb blast and flies up to the roof of the building just in time to deflect the bullets fired at Spider-Man. When the pair attempt to capture the Wraith, he obscures their vision with a gas pellet, covering his escape. It's then that DeWolff's officers burst into her office, having been delayed by a firebomb that was planted on the front door.

She is also visited by her father Phillip DeWolff, who is unimpressed with the way his daughter has been running the precinct. However, he has come on other matters, showing her a letter that was apparently written by her brother, who is deceased. Jean can't believe it and thinks that it is some kind of fraud. Phillip had it checked and it is authentic, confirming his belief that his son never died. He then leaves, letting Jean process the hate letter that was supposedly sent by her brother. Showing it to Spider-Man and Iron Man, she explains her family life. She explains that she and Brian had a loving relationship, it was her father who disapproved of her police work. Phillip had high hopes for Brian, until one day he was shot during a police chase and died. With no answers at hand, Iron Man suggests that this is possibly a supernatural situation and recommends that they get in contact with Doctor Strange.

Notes

Chronology Flashback

A flashback in this story affects the chronology of the following characters: